TLA Showtalk

Freight Information, Website Update, Checklist to Success, Pre-Show Marketing Tips, Avoid Costly Mistakes

TLA Showtalk
Volume 19, #6 February 10, 2000

Important Preshow Information

Freight Information
Are you planning to ship freight from the Public Library Association 2000 Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina to the TLA Conference 2000 in Houston? If so, please note the following:

Barbara Hawes of Freeman Decorating has extended the freight warehouse deadline from April 3rd to April 5th for all PLA to TLA exhibitors. Please contact Marcia Worthington at Freeman in Houston to submit your request to extend your freight arrival.

All PLA exhibitors will be contacted by Russ Wingard of Champion Expositions, (PLA decorator) to assist you with your freight shipment to TLA. Yellow Freight will offer economical rates by caravan directly from PLA to TLA.

Website Update!
In response to your needs, we have expanded the TLA 2000 EXHIBITS COMPANY PROFILE page of the TLA website to include 2 sections. Please read the description on the Exhibits Company Profile page for Section I and Section II prior to making any changes. This page is obtained by using your password.

The profile and buyers guide submission deadline has been extended. The final deadline is February 25, 2000. Please be aware that the information you provide in the profile and buyers guide will be used in the printed TLA Conference 2000 Program.

Checklist to Success at TLA
The following is a quick checklist to assist you with your conference planning. Please review the list. This is not an interactive form. The boxes are simply there for you to check-off and print for easy reference.

TLA Item

Received/Reviewed?

Submitted

Deadlines

TLA Service Kit	by mail	See forms for deadlines *
Final Invoice	by mail/fax	January 31 (now past due)
Housing information and reservations	by mail/fax	March 10
Program Listing/Company Profile	on website	February 25
Buyers Guide	on website	February 25
Author reservation form	on website	February 25
Booth-sitter reservation form	on website	February 25
TLA Individual Membership	on website	n/a
Weblink Form	on website	n/a

* Carefully review your TLA Service Kit. If you have not received your service kit please contact the Freeman Decorating representative Marcia Worthington at the following email: worthm@totalshow.com.

Pre-Show Marketing Tips
The TLA Conference is an exciting and rewarding opportunity to market to the librarians and library supporters who represent Texas academic, public, school, and special libraries. Due to the record number of conferee attendance and exhibiting firms, it is important that exhibitors utilize every avenue to market to the large number of attendees in a 2.5 day show.

After speaking with many exhibitors, we realize the need to educate our first-time exhibitors and brief our returning exhibitors about marketing at TLA. The following information may assist you in your TLA conference experience:

Sponsor a TLA conference events for additional exposure. Sponsorships begin at $250.
Weblink. Link your email and website listing on your company profile.
Program Advertising. Deadline for Advertising is February 15, 2000.
Join TPALS/TLA and participate in TPALS programs!!!

Avoid Costly Mistakes!!
Educate yourself about the tradeshow industry! Many exhibitors are not aware that they may be violating tradeshow rules. Be sure to review the illustrations and definitions that are standard in the tradeshow industry which are included on the right side of your TLA Service Kit which was sent to you by Freeman Decorating. Most of the following are industry-wide policies, while a few are unique to TLA:

Bags on wheels and carts are prohibited in the exhibit hall.
Exhibitors must staff their space at all times during the show hours, and exhibitors contract to exhibit the entire show. Exhibitors can hire library school students to assist in staffing the exhibit in case of an emergency. Request your boothsitter today!.
Exhibitors must conduct their business within the confines of their exhibit space. Sound levels must be no higher than 80 decibels. In other words, sound should be heard only within the confines of the exhibit space. Tables placed on the aisles will be scrutinized. Remember business cannot be conducted in the aisle. Refer to your service kit for detailed descriptions.

SHOWTALK INDEX